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American Stage announces new season, regional theatre first
Article published on Monday, Aug. 4, 2008 |
ST. PETERSBURG – American Stage Theatre Company has a busy 2008-2009 season ahead of them, including celebration of its 30th anniversary and move into its brand new, state-of-the-art theater in 2009.
American Stage also announced that it will be the first regional theatre in America to dedicate the next nine years to producing all ten of August Wilson’s plays, each of which chronicles characters in each decade of the 20th century.
“After how well received Wilson’s "Gem of the Ocean" was last season, we decided that it was important for a theatre company to produce every one of this modern master’s works so that the public can experience the full genius of this great African-American playwright,” said Todd Olson, American Stage’s producing artistic director. “We are very excited about being able to provide this first of its kind opportunity for the enjoyment of not only Tampa Bay audiences, but for lovers of great theatre everywhere.”
This season American Stage will be performing the regional premiere of Wilson’s "King Hedley II;" Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Richard Schenkkan’s "By the Waters of Babylon;" the holiday cult classic "A Tuna Christmas;" a world premiere adaptation of Aristophanes classic Greek comedy "Lysistrata;" the hilarious musical "Alter Boyz;" at American Stage in the Park, Jeffrey Hatcher’s touching play based on the phenomenal bestseller "Tuesday's with Morrie;"and more.
The upcoming schedule includes the following.
- Sept. 19 to Oct. 12, 2008: The Florida premiere of "By the Waters of Babylon" by Pulitzer Prize-winner Richard Schenkkan,
A passionate love story about a recluse with a past, and her gardener poet from Cuba who has come to rescue her neglected garden. As they drink, dance and tell their stories, they try to banish the ghosts that haunt them both.
- Nov. 14-Dec. 28, 2008: "A Tuna Christmas" by Ed Howard, Joe Sears and Jaston Williams.
With quick-change artistry and quicksilver dialogue, two consummate actors portray over 20 characters, and create an irreverent holiday comedy about the third smallest town in Texas. A ten-gallon evening of laughs and holiday cheer!
- Jan. 23-Feb. 15, 2009: Regional Premiere of American Stage’s Next Chapter in our “Wilson Cycle,” "King Hedley II" by Pulitzer Prize-winner August Wilson.
The death of Aunt Ester, a gamble to peddle refrigerators, a garden of seeds and a final act of retribution are the threads that make up the tapestry of Wilson’s 1980s installment in the author's renowned cycle of plays.
- March 13-April 15, 2009: World premiere adaptation of "Lysistrata" by Aristophanes, adapted by Todd Olson and T. Scott Wooten.
"No sex, please, we’re Greek!" The Peloponnesian War has been raging for two decades and the women are tired of it. So one brave lady – Lysistrata – has a plan. She gathers all of the women of Greece together to agree to a naughty pact to end the war for good. Contains adult themes.
- April 17-May 10, 2009: American stage in the Park, "Altar Boyz."
The hilarious off-Broadway phenomenon about a Christian boy band in crisis. Matthew, Mark, Luke, Juan and Abraham (the unsure, Jewish member) hit the road from their home in Ohio to New York (with a stop in St. Petersburg) as part of their climactic concert tour.
- June 5-28, 2009: Bay area premiere of "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Jeffrey Hatcher after Mitch Albom.
One of the top-10 most-produced plays in America this season, "Tuesdays with Morrie" is Jeffrey Hatcher’s comic and moving dramatization of the novel that was on The N.Y. Times Bestseller List for more than four years.
- July 24-Aug. 16, 2009: The Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award Winner "Doubt" is scheduled to finish out the 2008-09 season.
"Doubt" tells the story of a Bronx Catholic school in turmoil during the fall of 1964. Sister Aloysius is an old-school nun who insists that the young and popular Farther Flynn is having an inappropriate relationship with Donald Muller, the school's first black student. Flynn vehemently denies the allegations, but who is telling the truth? This powerhouse drama will keep audiences guessing until the final curtain.
Performance times for American Stage shows are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday matinee, 3 p.m.
Tickets prices are $22 to $35 depending on date and time of performance. Students Rush tickets are $10 and available 30 minutes prior to curtain time.
American Stage Theatre Company is located at 211 Third St. South in downtown St. Petersburg.
For more information or tickets, call the box office at 727-823-PLAY (7529) or visit www.americanstage.org.
American Stage is a not-for-profit professional theatre founded in 1977. American Stage presents six plays on its 142-seat capacity Mainstage each year. The very popular American Stage in the Park celebrates its 24th Anniversary year. American Stage will move into a brand new state of the art 200 seat performance space in the 2008-09 season.
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Article published on Monday, Aug. 4, 2008
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